CEM Spotlight on Helen McDowell, CEM

Earning the CEM designation is a game changer! IAEE interviewed recent CEM graduate, Helen McDowell, CEM, Manager, Conferences & Events at Ontario Dental Association. Read her journey on earning the CEM designation and why she ‘walked the walk’ at work and became CEM game changer.

Hometown: Toronto

University of Education: College, Dublin Ireland

How has the CEM designation helped in your career?

It has provided a greater degree of theory to the work we do.

Why is it important to maintain the CEM designation?

It is important to maintain the CEM designation because it is best to keep up and refresh the CEM information, which is quite extensive and I want to maintain the industry standard.

What made you want to obtain your CEM designation?

Being a manager and choosing this designation as a requirement for my team’s performance management, I thought it would be a good idea to walk the talk and do it with them.

What advice would you give to an aspiring individual who wants to apply for the CEM program?

Make the commitment. It is a recognized designation in the industry in North America and it is a significant benefit to have the industry theory behind the work that we do on a daily basis.

How did you start your career in this industry?

I joined a social committee who orchestrated corporate events for my organization. I was in marketing at the time and my career grew from there. Today, I feel fortunate to have garnered a wide breadth of experience from being a Manager, Marketing, Corporate Events Manager, etc. I feel I have well- rounded experiences that each organization I have worked for has benefited from.

What did you like most about the CEM Learning Program?

The peer participation and having some of my colleagues as instructors who are doing a great job and it was also an opportunity to share knowledge and information that one could apply with the theory we learned.

Fun fact about you – What is one thing most people don’t know about you?